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Flight Dynamics

The DC-8 was controlled with direct cable linkage and was a very
heavy aircraft to control. This is nicely simulated in the Aerosoft
add-on, and the result is an aircraft that can be rather sluggish to
control at times. Its massive wings generated a lot of lift, and as a
consequence, without proper trimming, you'll be left fighting the
pitch!

The DC-8 had no autothrottle, so pitch, speed and altitude
management is key. The higher you climb, the harder it is to gain
speed and as a result, increases the chance of a stall (something I
found out the hard way!). Above 38,000 feet, I found the DC-8 almost
impossible to climb at anything more than 200 fpm, and once at its
service ceiling of 42,000 feet, it basically wouldn't do any more (not
without speed becoming critically low).

When it comes to your first few landings, expect the aircraft to
float before you get accustomed to its behavior. As mentioned above,
the wings generate a lot of lift, and as a result, you need to time
your flare perfectly, or else you'll find yourself gliding halfway
down the runway! Speed brakes were not operable during flight, so to
slow the aircraft down, you would have to operate the reverse thrust.
While this would never get certified today, it was something that the
DC-8 originally did as part of its speed management.

Overall, the DC-8 gives you a different experience when flying, and
is one that I have very much enjoyed!

Opinion And Closing Remarks

I have to say, I have very much enjoyed my time with Aerosoft's
DC-8, as it's a fun aircraft to fly, even if it does seem overly
challenging on the first few flights.

Now that I have gotten the hang of many of its features, flying the
DC-8 is very rewarding and fun! There's no FMC, no autothrottle, no
altitude hold...yes...this is real flying, as they used to say!

Priced at $42.99, the DC-8 is also far from the most expensive
aircraft add-on for FSX and P3D. Aerosoft have also kindly provided
installers for both FSX and P3D, which is nice to see (doesn't make
use of the infamous 'P3D tax' that some developers use). This fact
alone, definitely makes the DC-8 a highly attractive purchase,
especially if you enjoy flying this type of aircraft in both
simulators!

As I have said throughout this review, if you're into the early
days of jetliners and want an aircraft which faithfully models the
systems of the time, then this is definitely an aircraft worth
exploring. Likewise, if you're a modern heavy metal flyer who's
thinking about delving into something a little older, then here too,
the DC-8 becomes highly attractive.

Flying the Aerosoft DC-8 has been an absolute joy, and is an
aircraft I highly recommend flying!